The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-07-31

how Nancy's laugh and the pat she
gave soldier" with her little wet
hand reached him as she said that.
They were just coming out OF the
lock below Uxbridge; they had a
cargo OF unbroken aints that time,
and no remembered as he Jumped on
board alter working the lock gates,
just as she said it, the splash with
which one of the queer shaped,
white aud steely fliots, displaced by
his foot, went into the canal.
The sunny picture his slow fancy
had called up was suddenly followed
by the remembrance of that other
cold drizzllpg evening week ago,
when it was Nancy who jumped light
ly from the barge to the path as they
went under the bridge at Stafford.
John got up suddenly, and for a mo-
ment felt sick and cold as he heard
again the splash aud quick little
frightened cry within the thick
shadow Of that hideous arch. She
had taken the jump scores Of times,
but this time she just missed the
bricked edge Of the path, aud before
her father, who was at the helm,
could get at her, she went under.
John, who was several yards ahead
with the horse, saw her rise again
between the slowly approaching
barge and the brick path, to which
she chung; but before he could reach
her and draw her out of the water a
spasm Of anguish on the girls pale
face and one long choked scream
told him that the great numbering
barge had passed just one inch too
near the edge and had crushed, as il
passed, the slight form.
"Oh, good God - muttered John,
and drew his breath sharply through
his teeth; even now il was all over
aud Nancy getting better, he couldn't
think of 1t without shuddering.
How he diyed under the barge and
drew out the now inanimate little
body aud lifted it to the many hands
stretched out on the path; how he
aud her father, white aud shaking
with horror, took their silent ,lifeless
burden TO GarIside street, he did
not clearly remember.
He remembered the policeman's
face clearly. A pale face showing
blue where the chin was shaved /;
aud he remembered too that Nancy's
curls dripped on to the back OF his
hand in the ambulance carriage, as
she lay wrapped ia blankets across
her fathers knee. But after his
own pluOge iato the water every
thing seemed confused, and the
things done and said were like the
unreal acts aud words Of horrible
dream.
bat e'sallright now, said j ohm
TO himself, aud when she's Mrs.
Jol n Ihrupp.she shaut run no more
riks;" and he gave himself a shake
to pull himself together before he
goo of the tram when il stopped on
the white road below the hospital.
He joined the group Of mothers
and fathers and friends, each with
their bundle OF clothes, eggs aud
flowers, Tor the patients going in
twos aud threes uptbe slope. Some,
~ he had done last week, we're going
for the nrst time and looked around
them curiously; but our bargee
strode on quickly, smelling the huge
bunch Of stocks and wall flowers aud
mlgnon he was taking 10 Nancy.
lie knew his way, aud nodded TO the
mao at the lodge as il he we're an old
friend.
Ii was the same blue and white
nurse on duty as porteress, and John
came la brlskly out OF the sunshine
into the cool gray corridor. and 'ook
of his cap with quite gallant smile
as he said, before the nurse had
spoken this time.
ITO see Nancy Battsen"-and
quite proud of his knowledge, "in
Hywood special, ain't it2 0nly my
sell plea.e miss.
The nurse said Yes" and added
"Ohl-Mr. Ba,tsen.
john Thrupp," said John, smil-
ing still.
"Ohl-yes," said the nurse. "Mr.
Thrupp, waita moment, pie Sc.
John stood on one de- wondering
what she wanted with him. aud
watched her send a cabmin aud his
wife, who asked for "Johuny Ma
hony-a baby" TO North Ward. :"
John wondered idly what was the
matter with Johnny Marney," as
the anxious parents called il.
When they turned aud went of 10
the right, John looked after them
and did not notice the momentary
hesitation and glance Of pity the
little blue aud white Inurse cat on
him as she laid her book on the
bench and got up aud said:
Will you come this way, Mr..
Thrupp?"
Has she been moved out of
thorc1" said john, following, as they
came opposite the Hayward doors.
The doctor wants 10 speak 20
you, replied the nurse without AN.
swering him, and opened the door Of
the room into which the doctor had
taken him last time.
The doctor was sitting the other
side Of = square, green leather table,
aud looking up abseutly from his
writing; aud then, as John said
cheerily, good day, sir" he seemed
suddenly TO recognize the young tel.
low. A worried look came into he
face, and he sad:
"Oh, it's you; wait a moment"
aud getting up quickly he followed
the nurse out OF the room, turning 70
add as he closed the door, "Sit dosn,
Ill be back in a moment
John sat down title puzzled:
but not shade Of anxiety or fear
that Nancy was worse crossed his
mind. He had made up his mind
she was nearly we'll COW, and pi jtured
her, sitting up now perhaps in long
armchair he had seen in the
Special. The door opened again aud
the doctor came 10 looking very
grave Indeed; aud shutting the door
stood with his back TO IL aud said:
MIR. Thrupp, | am very much dis.
tressed 10 fnd you have not had tho
sent TO Garlsidc street last